Man Pleads Guilty To Setting Fires At OC Church

SANTA ANA (AP) — Prosecutors say a 32-year-old man has pleaded guilty to lighting three fires at an Orange County church because he was upset with the church's teachings on masturbation.

The Orange County district attorney's office says Izad Chavoshan entered guilty pleas Tuesday to three counts of arson, one count of attempted arson and a hate crime sentencing enhancement.

Deputy District Attorney Andrew Katz says Chavoshan, a former member of the Orange County Church of Christ in Irvine, set three separate fires in church trash cans between Oct. 15 and Oct.19, 2009. He also lit a piece of paper and tried to push it through closed church doors.

Prosecutors say Chavoshan is eligible for up to 20 years in prison when he's sentenced on Aug. 19.

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